Audi Q5 Remote Start: The Full Rundown

Published March 21, 2022
in Ownership

The Audi Q5 has cemented its position as one of the better luxury compact SUVs on the market since it was first released back in 2008. However, drivers will likely have noticed that the Q5 is missing one of the features that have become standard on other luxury vehicles. The Audi Q5 remote start, or rather, the lack of an Audi Q5 remote start.

While there are plenty of places where a remote start isn’t a standard feature, drivers in the United States are getting more and more accustomed to this convenient feature. So why would Audi, a brand famous for high-tech luxury vehicles, not use one?

Well, it’s relatively complicated, but the short answer is German law, and we’ll get into the longer answer a bit later in the article.

Thankfully, Audi Q5 are compatible with a range of aftermarket remote starter options, so you’re not out of luck if you want a Q5 with a remote starter.

Let’s learn more:

What Is A Remote Start?

Before we get started, let’s clear up what a remote start is. Specifically, this is important because more vehicles are coming out with push-to-start options, including having a button on the key fob itself to let you start the engine.

But, for most people, a button on your key that works within a few feet of the vehicle doesn’t count as a remote starter. A remote starter should be good at least 20ft away from the vehicle, and modern versions can start your vehicle from as much as 2,000ft away.

GET THE SAME INSIDER INFO THAT DEALERSHIPS USE

The CoPilot app is the smartest way to buy a car. Built using the same technology that dealerships use, we’ll show you everything you want to know about each listing - like how long it’s been on the lot, or if there are similar vehicles at a better price nearby.

What Are The Advantages Of Having A Remote Start?

For drivers that haven’t used one, it’s not always immediately clear what advantages there are to having a remote starter. After all, starting your vehicle before you get in uses more fuel and means you won’t be able to monitor startup systems and the warnings they often give when you start the vehicle.

But, especially for people living in cold climates, there can be a few advantages.

Most importantly, letting your car warm up for a few minutes before you start driving is a lot easier on the engine than starting up and driving right away in cold weather.

It’s also more convenient for the driver to get into a vehicle that’s already starting to warm up and get more comfortable. Not to mention that it can make scraping your windshield a lot easier if the car is already starting to heat the windshield.

Why Doesn’t The Audi Q5 Come With A Remote Start?

There’s a lot that went into the decision not to offer an Audi Q5 remote start.

The most basic answer is that Audi is a German-based company, and Germany has laws against using a remote start or having a vehicle running without a driver in the driver’s seat.

However, vehicle manufacturers build different versions of their most popular models for different parts of the world all the time. They make changes to help deal with things like differences in fuel quality and octane levels, different regulations, and even different consumer preferences, all within the same model and year of a vehicle.

So, if it’s already an industry norm to offer more than one version of a vehicle, why wouldn’t Audi include a remote start for the U.S. market, especially when U.S. consumers are particularly fond of them?

While it’s impossible to know the true motivations of the people making these decisions, there are likely two main reasons why Audi Q5 remote starters aren’t a thing: environmentalism and cost.

The first reason, and likely the main reason, is simple. Using a remote start means that vehicles will run longer, burn more fuel, and be less efficient overall. With the current push to make vehicles as environmentally friendly as possible, it makes sense to leave off features that compromise efficiency and increase pollution.

On the other hand, since Audi cannot sell vehicles with a remote start in Germany and other parts of their market, building and installing them for certain markets would add to manufacturing costs.

Likely, the addition isn’t worth the extra cost to Audi, especially when they know that there are aftermarket options available for consumers who really want a remote start.

THE BEST USED SUVS UNDER $10,000

We looked into price, reliability, features, and more to create this list of the best used SUVs under $10k on the market today. Take a look - some of the best used SUVs have gone mostly overlooked or forgotten.

Can You Add A Remote Start To The Audi Q5?

Yes, there are plenty of remote start options that you can add to an Audi Q5 if you want to. They’re designed to be compatible with the feature, even if it isn’t added at the outset.

However, you need to make sure you’re getting a compatible model and a good installation to avoid voiding your Audi warranty on a new Q5.

What Is The Audi Advanced Key?

The Audi Advanced Key is an optional feature available on some models, including the Q5, that gives your key fob a few more advanced features and remote features compared with the base model.

That includes a button to start and stop your vehicle’s engine, which is somewhat comparable to a short-range remote start. However, the limited range and intended function both mean it’s not really a remote starter, which is one of the reasons Audi offers it.

Instead, the start/stop function on your Audi Advanced Key is designed to make it easier to stop your engine at stoplights, especially in traffic, and then start it again when you’re ready to get going.

Starting and stopping that way is more fuel-efficient, but it can be hard on your battery, especially if you’re in an area with a lot of crowded stoplights.

THE BEST USED MINIVANS ON THE MARKET

When it comes to hauling a lot of people and cargo, the minivan is hard to beat. We’ve factored in reliability, affordability, and functionality to create this curated list of the 8 best used minivans on the market today.

Pros and Cons of Getting an Aftermarket Remote Start

Getting an Audi Q5 remote start might sound like a great idea, but you should know some of the pros and cons before you commit. Here’s a short list to consider before you go out and buy an aftermarket remote starter.

Pros:

Easier on your engine in cold weather
It warms your car up, so it’s more comfortable
Faster to leave if the engine’s already running
Convenient start when you’re loading the car or getting passengers settled

Cons:

Some insurance companies consider remote starters higher risk and may raise your rates
Increased CO2 pollution
Increased wear and tear on your engine from longer run times
Use fuel and oil faster
Increased maintenance costs for fob replacement

Overall, it’s a personal decision whether you want to get a remote starter or not. There are some great reasons to have one and some equally good reasons why you shouldn’t.

So, give it some thought, and make the decision that makes the most sense for you, your location, and your priorities.

Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You

The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.

Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.

The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.